The DNA Detectives: How the Double Helix Is Solving Puzzles of the Past

by Anna Meyer

Book Overview

What caused the Black Death? What really happened to the Russian Royal Family? Did Anastasia survive the Russian revolution? Could the unnamed victims of the Titanic be returned to their families? In The DNA Detectives, Anna Meyer provides a fascinating glimpse into one of the newest and most intriguing areas of scientific research. Any DNA that still exists in the remains of living things after their death is called "ancient DNA." But the death doesn't...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560258632
• ISBN13: 9781560258636
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

The DNA Detectives

I admire writers, who can reduce a complex subject into a compelling simpler story. The book's author, Anna Meyer, has this talent in spades. Her topic is ancient DNA and she has made reading about it into a pleasurable experience. DNA testing is a powerful new tool and she reviews how it can be applied to mysteries of the past. Are the Neanderthals our ancestors? Can extinct animals be regenerated as in the movie, "Jurassic Park"? Even if you have no technical background, you will learn important concepts from this book. Ralph Hermansen 10/30/2007

Genetics Takes On History's Mysteries

"The DNA Detectives" is an engaging look at how the science of genetics can be used to solve zoological, anthropological and historical mysteries. Were the Neanderthals the ancestors of modern day humans, or were they a completely different species that could never interbreed with homo sapiens? Could scientists someday clone dinosuars? How about a more recently extinct animal, like a wooly mammoth or a giant moa? Was the Black Death caused by bubonic plague--or was another pathogen to blame? Did the "Lost Dauphin" survive the French Revolution? Did Princess Anastasia escape the Bolsheviks? DNA offers the answers to all these questions and more. Meyer's book offers fairly current solutions to these mysteries. At the same time, the book is light enough that it makes for quick and entertaining reading--the short chapters and paperback format make this an especially good book to enjoy on an airplane flight. If genetics and history interest you, try Nicholas Wade's superb "Before the Dawn" (what DNA tells us about human evolution in 2006) or Sean Carroll's "The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution."

A shallow, but intersting investigation

I'll admit, Meyer's DNA Detectives was fun to read, but if you're expecting a detailed understanding of ancient DNA extraction you won't find it here. What you will discover is a basic understanding of how DNA can solve the mysteries of the past. This book is perfect for the beginner, and presents a wonderful way to stir interest among the genetically illiterate. By solving the legends to convey the power of ancient DNA, Meyer convincingly displays what a valuable tool this technique will be, and is.

Anastasia, the Black Death, and Jurassic Park

This is a lightweight book on a heavy subject: the use of DNA to solve mysteries of the past and to do neat things in your spare time such as clone a Tyrannosaurus Rex. In a little more than 200 pages the author takes up several fascinating questions, including: Might it become possible to clone a dinosaur or a moa or a mastadon? Was Anastasia Romanov really murdered in 1918? Or did she survive? Did the Dauphin, Louis XVII, die in 1795? Was the "Black Death" the bubonic plaugue or something else? Did early humans make whoopee with Neanderthals? The author relates light and engaging stories about how scholars have used DNA extracted from fossil and skeleton cells to try to answer these questions. It is pretty amazing what can be done with DNA. Is there a Tyrannosaurus Rex in our future? A mammoth or a moa seem more likely, but stay tuned. The author's science seems solid, but don't expect too much in the way of scientific heft in this book. It's a good quick read. Smallchief

interesting

I haven't finished this book yet, but it is enjoyable. The author jokes around a bit, but the science is clear and understandable. It even helped me explain it to my mom who knows nothing about science. It is definitly an interesting topic... ancient DNA... it talks about Jurasic Park, the Russian Royal Family, and also stuff like the Black Plauge. Really enjoyable.